Champaign County OhioVirtual Farmers’ MarketSmall Farms Making a Difference

This page contains news items, links to interesting sites, and anything else the market managers have wanted to share with you. They are listed in reverse chronological order, with the newest entries at the top.

The Weblog

The local foods movement is alive and well in Champaign County! Here are some updates on other projects while we finalize our virtual market:

Local Producers Map:
Our local producers map is ready for publication and you will soon be able to find it on gochampaign.com. Copies will be distributed around the community, in the local telephone book, and other “hangouts”. The guide lists the location and contact information for nearly 50 local producers within our county. The map was a project of the Local Food Council and printed with the help of some local sponsors including the Monument Square District, Champaign Bank, the Community Improvement Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau and others. It is a great start to finding a local source for Champaign County’s finest!

Shout-out time!

One more thing…I just have to give kudos to a few vendors tonight who are working their kiesters off for us: Swisher Hill Herbs, JC Growers and out of this world Cosmic Charlie who are creating new products like mad! Check out their new items, especially those which would make super holiday gifts! I could not be more proud of you guys! Love, love, love the new stuff! Great job ladies!

Good evening trailblazers!

As I searched the LocallyGrown website today to find our brethren around the state of Ohio, I am reminded we are trailblazers! There are less than a handful of markets doing online farmers’ markets so I say “Go us!”. Check out our offerings and order up folks! I am so proud of you!

Last call for orders this week!

Rainy days and Tuesdays...

Good afternoon market customers! Just a quick reminder that the market will be closing tonight at 8 so hurry and get any last minute items ordered by then! Be sure to pick up your eggs and dairy items for your holiday baking needs! Stay dry and see you Thursday!

Open early

As I am taking in a performance of A Christmas Carol and won’t be able to open the market promptly at 8, I am opening the market a bit early tonight. Don’t forget to see what is new and consider local goods for holiday gifting! Happy eating and thank you for being such super customers!

Open early

As I am taking in a performance of A Christmas Carol and won’t be able to open the market promptly at 8, I am opening the market a bit early tonight. Don’t forget to see what is new and consider local goods for holiday gifting! Happy eating and thank you for being such super customers!

Spinach

Give local...

As we head into the last few hours of the market this week I wanted to offer up a reminder to consider our wonderful vendors when selecting gifts for your loved ones for the holidays. From local maple syrup, honey or garlic, to baked goods like homemade noodles, spices, herbs, and breads, we have many items that family or friends would be happy to receive. Many items are shelf-stable and could be wrapped and placed under the tree or in a stocking too. While we can’t possibly name them all, please remember that local dollars spent on local items stays mostly local! And if it cannot be placed under the tree, start a new tradition of gifting it into their refridgerater or freezer! Blame it on the elves and deposit that roast or sausage right into their freezer! What a surprise it would be! Taking a road trip? Order extra cookies or a loaf of Cosmic bread for the ride! The options are endless!

Let’s work hard to make your cyber Monday really virtual Tuesday and support your local food providers!

Turkey, turkey and more turkey...

Good evening friends! If you are like me, we have already left-over the leftovers for homemade pizza tonight as we have had our fill. That being said, we start anew with the home stretch towards Christmas this week with your old friends. I promise we will let you enjoy each week but will highlight all the great items for fresh eating and gift-giving. We are thankful for your friendship and committment to shopping local. Please consider us as we ask you extend Small Business Saturday thru this week. Shop away and thank you for shopping with us!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Since you are used to hearing from me at this hour, I simply want to wish you and yours a most wonderful Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for in our families, our communities, and our country and are truly blessed. We have the right to choose where and how to buy our food and we thank you for choosing us for at least a portion of your consumption. Have a great holiday and we’ll see you front and center on Sunday night when we start toward the home stretch towards Christmas!